Oh, it's a K and and L and LuLu the bear!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

K and L are enjoying their own personal hidey-space. I strung Christmas lights underneath the table with 3M command cable-clips. Then we covered the table with a dark bedsheet, and it has become base for some kind of Arctic expedition involving bears and a kangaroo.

Candlemas!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Here are our candles from Candlemas. We kept the prayer votive in the middle burning all day.

We are all about celebrating the odd and whimsical in our house.
You have to admit that Groundhog day is um, really kind of odd. Grown men in tuxes pretending their small pet rodent named Phil can not only talk- but predict future weather- in ryhme?
And thousands of people descend on the town of Punxsutawney PA each year to stand out in the cold and dark, (at a place in town called Gobbler' s Knob!) waiting for this to happen?!
I am so on board with that!
So each year we celebrate Groundhog day, we get up, we make our own predictions, and we wait for the half hour to turn on the tv for the weather. This year Punxatawney Phil predicted an early spring! Here is what he "said" :

Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/07 at 7:28 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob:

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.

So there you have it! The rodent says early spring!

We talked about Candlemas day and the traditions that started Groundhog day. We talked about how we're half way between Winter and Spring, and we kept a candle burning all day. It's been so cold lately- coming after such mild weather- that it doesn't feel like spring is just around the corner.
But Phil says so, and we trust the mystic groundhog!

Labels: Groundhog Day Candlemas Celebrations

Pyjama chess
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

K has been playing chess for a while now, but still needs help.
Rob plays against her better than I do. Since she expects coaching on her next move, you kind of get the feeling that you are playing against yourself!
It's an odd feeling.

Pumpkin Scones for afternoon tea!
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Here are the Bookclub girlies (and L!) enjoying a lovely Aussie afternoon tea!

Wombat, Wombat- KOALA! (Instead of duck, duck goose)
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Happy Australia!!!
We celebrated Australia Day on January 26th, by pretending our house was Australia! (and had a little talk about extraterritoriality!)
K hosted book club and we welcomed her friends in by making passports for them, and K stamped them as they arrived.
We spread beach towels out in the living room and pretended it was a beach! Then we read stories on the beach, and played some "Wombat, Wombat- KOALA!" (instead of duck duck goose) Australian style- down under with feet in the air! (Note: Australians do not actually play Duck, Duck Goose with their feet in the air. This was in jest! We would hate to lead any homeschoolers astray, LOL!)
Then we had an Aussie afternoon tea, with my Granny's pumpkin scones, jam and cream, and tea.

All in all, a terrific Australia Day!

I have been enjoying a particular homeschooling Blog Just Enough and Nothing More This weekend's post about Perfection is a great read- go check it out.